Can you imaging your basement, completely flooded? What about moldy drywall? Or Mildewed grout? Mold is the ever present culprit when water damage occurs. Here’s 9 tips for preventing mold damage from ever happening in the first place.
Tip #1: Be Sure Your Sump Pump is Working.
Outside of rainy weather or bad storms, your sump pump isn’t being used. When a bad storm occurs with rainwater flowing everywhere, that’s the worse time to realize that your sump pump isn’t working. Ideally, you should test your sump pump once a year to ensure that it’s working property.
You can test your sump pump by slowly filling it water. All sump pumps have a “float” which is a lightweight device similar to what you see in a toilet. Watch for it for rise which normally will active the pump. The water should then fall and deactivate the pump.
Tip #2: Fix Water Leaks
Any time that you have water leaking, there’s the possibility of water damage occurring. Persistent leaks can lead to mold, mildew, and rot happening. lf you fix a leak soon after it starts, this will usually prevent water damage from even occurring at all.
The easiest way to check for water leaks is to search for stains on ceilings, dark spots under pipes, or water areas in sink cabinets. Also be sure to inspect your roof, at least once per year for missing, loose, or damaged shingles.
Tip #3: Be Sure That You Have Good Drainage
When excessive amount of rainwater pours around a house, it weakens a foundation. This can lead to cracks and entry points for water to enter your home. You can ensure good drainage by cleaning your gutters routinely.
What you want to do it be sure that your downpouts are directing water 5 to 10 feet away from your house. Check to be sure that your yard is sloped at least 6 inches over a 10-foot span away from your foundation. This slope should keep water from flowing right next to your foundation where it could cause cracks and create leaks.